Air show preparing to meet high expectations

Organisers are saying they have put 'everything' into this year's show

More than 2,500 contractors are busy getting the Farnborough Airshow site ready for the eagerly-anticipated event.

Farnborough International CEO Shaun Ormrod said a "huge amount of work" has been put into what the company will deliver this year.

The airshow, which has trade exhibitions from Monday to Friday, followed by a public weekend next Saturday and Sunday, costs the aviation industry £100 million to set up and run every two years.

As the pressure mounts to deliver, Mr Ormrod said Farnborough International is putting "everything it has" into this year’s show.

He said: “Farnborough has been going for over 60 years and traditionally, we have all been used to having aircraft on display at the trade week then opening the gates to the public at the weekend. But over time that has changed because there have not been as many aircraft as there used to be and commercially the pressure has increased.

“So this time a huge amount of work has been put into everything we have got.

"I will never say we meet that expectation because we will always expect more of ourselves, and the public will expect more too, but we have understood it is a very competitive market this year.

"There are lots of things people could choose to do with their spare time and spend their disposable income on, and we have to raise our game to make sure people choose to come to Farnborough and feel they get value for money.

"We are not an organisation that stands still.”

A lot of aircraft will be making their debuts this year, including the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, and favourites the Red Arrows and Spitfire will be returning.

Mr Ormrod said: “The content is better than for a considerable amount of time, but it’s also the way we will be producing it as a show this year. Farnborough is a small town in Hampshire but the airshow is what Wimbledon is to tennis.”

A spokeswoman for Farnborough Airport said: "There may be a requirement for validation flying during Sunday 13 July from 9.30 am.

It is unlikely that the flying will be for extended periods of time and we apologise in advance for any inconvenience.

We would like to thank the local community for their continued support and understanding as we prepare for the show next week."

She has been editorial director of the online and print titles in Surrey and north-east Hampshire since 2007. Marnie previously worked at the BBC as a producer for 5 Live, having moved to national radio from BBC Sussex and Surrey.